Pranayama, the true transformation
The fourth step of Yoga...
"Step" should not be understood as stairs to be climbed one by one. The right word is "activity" or "limb". In practice the steps overlap to a greater or lesser extent, and it is very hard to separate, for example, asana from pranayama, because an asana without pranayama would be no more than a meaningless gesture.
Pranayama is the key to Yoga: it gives us access to the level of energy beyond time and space. Pranayama reveals the secrets of the postures through the subtle perception of the energy centres brought to light during practice, because it carries the spirit and consciousness.
It is the key to Hatha Yoga because it is the last limb in which will can play a part. The four steps that follow will be the "result" of the work done in Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama.
Pranayama is the mastery of the breath and of the energy of life (Prana). Breath and breathing are not of the same nature. Breathing is the physical, "gross" manifestation of the breath.
To master the different breaths in their body (Prâna, Apâna, Samâna, Udâna, Vyâna, Nâga, Kûrma, Krikâla, Devadatta and Dhananjaya), the practitioner begins by mastering their breathing, then must discover the channels (Idâ, Pingalâ, Sushumnâ, Gândhârî, Hastijihvâ, Pûshâ, Yashasvinî, Alambushâ, Kuhu and Shankhinî) in which these breaths flow, and so gain a precise view of their energy body.
Prana spreads during the suspension or stopping of the breath, which is why most Pranayama techniques work on breath retention (kumbhaka) with empty or full lungs, or in suspension.
Retention with full lungs brings powers, with empty lungs knowledge.
Pranayama is a tool of spatial and temporal knowledge...
In the 8 limbs of Yoga we can glimpse the idea that the first limb, Yama, the restraints, aims to purify the root centre, Muladhara.
Niyama, the disciplines, are linked to Svadhisthana and its mastery.
Manipura is linked to the postures.
In the same way, Anahata (the heart centre) would be linked to pranayama.
In our lives we can see that there is a direct link between our moods and the way we breathe. For example, remember the breathing of someone crying, in pain, stressed or asleep, or the breathing of orgasm.
By mastering our breathing and its rhythms, to the point of lengthening it so much that it seems to stop, we unite energy and consciousness within us and step out of the grip of our mind (memory, character, opinions, feelings, karma...) through the opening of the heart (Anahata) and the awakening of the deep energies (kundalini) towards the light of the spirit.
"Where the mind is, the breath is, and the other way round," says the Upanishad.
Pranayama, like all the other techniques, prepares for and allows us to reach the next step, Pratyâhâra.
Examples of techniques:
Kapalabhati
Bhastrika
Denis